History of Onondaga County, New York, Part 48

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 840

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GRAY BROTHERS. This firm, which has justly acquired a wide reputation in the manufacture of Ladies' and Misses' Fine Shoes, was organized at Little Falls, N. Y., where the brothers, Harrison H. and John D. Gray, had served a long apprentice- ship to the business in their father's manufactory and had established and carried on one of their own for some time. Being ambitious to excel in this branch of manufacture and to secure greater advantages for the future than their limited sur- roundings afforded, they transferred their business to Syracuse in 1866, and established their head- quarters in the Kimber Block. They had in view from the first the building up of an enterprise that should be national in its character, and, in order to secure this, had to work slowly, for trade was the first requisite to the accomplishment of their object. Remaining in the Kimber Block for two years, re- moval was then made to the Everson Block, which answered only a temporary purpose ; for their grow- ing business required more ample accommodations, where the improvements suggested by experience and observation could be more fully applied. This led to the erection of their present factory on the corner of Franklin and Walton streets in the fall of 1872. It is a substantial four-story brick block, forty by one hundred feet, and admirably adapted to the necessities of the business, having been built expressly to meet its requirements. The building is heated by steam throughout and is furnished with all the best modern appliances for comfort, conveni- ence and facility for carrying on the extensive busi- ness for which it is designed. Everything through- out the building, from basement to fourth floor, is thoroughly systematized, and the whole moves on like a single piece of machinery. In the basement is stored the sole leather and other coarser goods, and here the soles are also cut by machinery. On the first floor are the offices and shipping rooms, and here are stored quantities of manufactured goods. The second floor is devoted to bottoming ladies', misses' and children's shoes. The third floor is used for the cutting and preparing of uppers for the fourth floor where the work is put together and fitted. On the fourth floor are fifty improved sewing machines and six to eight latest improved

button-hole machines constantly in use. These various floors are connected with the office by speaking tubes and by a steam elevator ; the machinery also throughout the building being pro- pelled by steam.

The Gray Brothers have heretofore devoted a share of their efforts to the manufacture of men's boots and shoes, but their plan for the future con- templates the discontinuance of this branch. They are putting in a new and improved line of machinery, embracing the MeKay Heeling Ma- chines, the Tripp Beating-Out Machines, and the Union Edge-Setting Machines, which, with other improved machinery, will give a capacity of from 600 to 800 pairs of Ladies' and Misses' Fine Ma- chine Sewed Shoes per day, and will employ a force of from 250 to 350 hands. The cost of building and machinery was about $50,000.

ALFRED UNDERHILL & Co .- In January, 1873, Mr. Underhill began to manufacture Infant's Soft Sole Shoes on a small scale in a room 20 by 40 on Fayette street, and turned out 25 pairs a day. The firm now occupy two floors in the Baum Block, with a capacity for making 500 pairs of shoes and slippers daily and have added a line of children's hard soled shoes and of ladies' black dress slippers and button walking shoes. The gross amount of their manufacture for the first year was $6,000 ; the ag- gregate for the past year foots up $30,000. The trade has steadily increased till sales are now made in nearly every part of the United States and Canada.

One of the peculiarities of this establishment is that the work is nearly all done by women and girls, there being from 30 to 45 employed in the business, and only two men in the establishment.

The book-keeper, and one of the partners, Miss Sarah Nutting, has full charge of the books, con- taining the names of over 1,200 customers, and at- tends to all the correspondence. She has been con- nected with the business from the beginning.

The Cutting Department is overseen entirely by Willie Underhill, who is also a member of the firm.

JI. O. PRATT, Wholesale Manufacturer of Men's and Boys' Boots and Shoes. Mr. Pratt is a native of Massachusetts, having come to this city in 1868. He established a manufactory of boots and shoes at No. 93 South Salina street, which he carried on for about three years, when he moved to the new block. Nos. 5 and 7 East Jefferson street, and re- mained there four years. While located at the last named place, Mr. James R. Barrett became a part- ner, the firm being known as H. O. Pratt & Barrett.

Photo. by Bonta & Curtiss, Syracuse.

The subject of this sketch was born in Sauquoit, Oneida Co., N. Y., September 19, 1814. He was the fifth child of a family of eight children of Dr. Spaulding Pierce and Abigail Bacon, the former a native of Plainfield, Windham Co., Conn., the latter a native of Dedham, Mass.

His father, although a practicing physician, carried on a farm, on which the subject of this memoir worked summers, attending school winters, until he was twelve years of age, at which time his father died.

Sylvester went to Utica, his native town, for another year. From there he went to Rome and acted as clerk for Jay Hathaway, where he remained for two years. He afterwards spent some three years as clerk in Utica, with Theodore S. Gould, and took charge of the sale of a stock of goods in Oswego for Mr. Curtis, where he remained over a year.

This experience in business with different and successful business men gave him a desire to go into trade for himself, and cultivated also his natural business capacity. In the year 1839 he came to the city of Syracuse, then a village, and opened a crockery-store in partnership with Ransom Curtis, and in the beginning made importations direct from England. Their trade rapidly increased as the village and surrounding country increased in its demands. After some four years, Mr. Curtis went out of the concern, since which time, with the excep- tion of a few years, Mr. Pierce has been in business alone.

From the first, on coming to Syracuse, he has carried on the wholesaling of his goods, which reached out until now they find

their way into nearly all the counties of the State, and his im- portations are from Germany, Holland, France, and England direct. His economical management of his small means, acen- mulated while a clerk, has increased, until he ranks not only among the successful business men of his city, but among the strong financial men of his county.

His close attention to business, and integrity of purpose in dealing, has won for him the high esteem of his fellow-men, and is only another example of the result of well-directed effort and ambition, with a will to succeed.

In politics he was first identified with the Whig party, but upon the formation of the Republican party became an ardent supporter of its principles. Has never sought political offices, nor shrank from bearing public burdens when placed upon him. Was supervisor of his ward (sixth) for two terms.

In the year 1841 he married Miss Cornelia M., daughter of Elisha Marsh and Lovina Wiard, of Onondaga Hill. Her grandfather came with his family from Coleraine, Mass., about the year 1800, and became one of the pioneer settlers of this county.

To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have been born four children,- Marsh C., Charles H., William K., and Emma C.

Mr. Pierce is a liberal supporter of church interests ; has been for many years vestryman of St. Paul's church of the city, and, with his wife, are warmly attached as members of the same to not only its interests, but are ready supporters of all enter- prises looking to the building up of good society.

Photo, by Bola A Partire, STR. One,

William BelowOR

The subject of this sketch was born in Newton, Mass, Nov. 1, 1703. He was the eldest child, in n family of five children, of Ben- jamin Cook, born Feb. 26, 1767, in Cambridge, Mass., and Ann MeNeal Hougs, of Newton, Mass. His grandfather, Benjamin Cook, was born in 1742, in Cambridge, and his grandmother, Lydia Hammond, was born in Newton, Mass., in 1716.

When William was thirteen years old he came to Chesterfield, Cheshire Co., N. H., with his parents, and in 1815 moved with them to Onondaga County, and settled at Onondaga Hill. . On Oct. 9, 1816, he married Miss Harriet Byron, daughter of Gen. John Ellis and Submit Olds, early settlers of this county, and among the most prominent families of the county.

The next year after his marriage he entered into the mercantile business in Camillus, from which place he soon removed to Open- daga Hill. There he was appointed under-sheriff by the Inte Dr. Hezekiah Granger, of Manlius, which office he held, under various sheriff's, for fifteen years.

In the year 1817 he was appointed brigado inspetor, under Gen. John Ellis, in the State militia, and continued in that office for some nineteen years ; and it is said of him that, as an offleer, " his One proportions of body, his gentlemanly bearing among the sol- diers on military days, when in his full ilress uniform, mounted on his gallant steed, inspired every one with confidence, pride, and delight."

In May, 1836, he came to Syracuse, where he has filled several offices of trust, and in 1814 was appointed police justier, the duties of which ofhice ho faithfully discharged until nearly the time of his death, Nov. 28, 1818.

Major Conk was deputy superintendent of the Salt Springs of Syracuse for many years. A special characteristic of him was his temperance proclivities, being an ardent promoter of that in- terest wherever he was, and closely identifled with the Sons of Temperance society of Syracuse. Major Conk was for more than twenty years a member of the vestry of the Episcopal swings, first on the Hill, and subsequently in Syracuse. For eight years he was a vestryman of Zion church, Onondaga, and for about

twelve years a senior warden of St. Paul's church, of Syracuse. In the latter office he was associated with the Inte Jonas Earl, dr , Henry Easton, and Amos P. Granger.

At the time of his decease, the common council of the city pre- sented his widow with a dead for a lot in Rose Hill cemetery, to bury her husband's remains, rather than he should be taken to the family (Ellis) burying-ground at Onondaga Hill, and in accord- ance with the wishes of the people his remains were interred nt Rose Itill.

To Major and Mrs. Cook were born four children,-Charles Augustus (derease), Harriet Maranda (died in infancy), Wil- liam Edgar (died at the age of seventeen years), and Laura E., wife of the late E.J. Foster, of Syracuse, but formerly of Beverly, Mass. They have one daughter, Kate Lovett Foster.

Mr. Edward I. Foster was born in Beverly, Mass., in Is17 When a chill he removed with his parents to Syracuse, where they lived a few years, and then returned to their former home. When fourteen years of age he returned to Syracuse, where he lived until his death. Mr. Foster was an honest, upright man, whose whole life, embellished us it was with manly, unostentatious doods, and welorned with noble qualities of heart and mind, is worthy the lasting remembrance and the emulation of his fellow. men.

Mrs. Cook died at the age of seventy seven years. Her declin- ing years were made happy by the kindness of her devoted daughter, Mrs. Foster, and the ministrations of countless friends. Being born in the town of Onondaga, she was the oldest living resident of that town. She came to Syracuse to live forty years previous te her death, and was best known among the older resi- dents of the town. She was a general favorite, and her intelli- gener, culture, and vivacity made her a most charming companion. She was the oldest resident member of St. Paul's church at the time of her death, and a constant attendant. She was possessed of remarkable vitality, und did not cease in her charitable minis- trations until disease incapacitated her from further work Hler life was one of labor more for other than for herself.

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Mr. Pratt sold his interest to Mr. Barrett in the winter of 1875, and immediately established him- self in his present location, No. 38 West Railroad street, where he conducts his busi- ness, occupying two stories of that number. He employs, on an average, 45 hands in the manufac- ture of his goods, which are sold principally in the State of New York, and also in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota. The production of his factory is about fifty pairs of men's first- class, hand-sewed and pegged boots and shoes per day, aggregating in value about $40,000 a year.

WILSON & BLYE .- This firm, composed of Newell W. Wilson and Alphonso W. Blye, commenced in the spring of 1872 the manufacture of an Oil Tank for use principally in stores and manufacturing es- tablishments. At first they manufactured what is known as the Winchell Oil Can, working the same under a royalty contract from the patentee. Later they improved upon this tank and secured patents of their own under which they are now and have been for some two years making a tank which they name " The Perfection." Early in the year 1873, this firm established an office in New York City and goods of their manufacture are now well known and sought after in every State of the Union. The business has increased from the beginning, when they made them only as sales were effected and to a limited amount, to the present production of nearly 300 a month. They have also taken hold of and introduced several new and useful specialties such as a Tobacco Safe, Flour Safe and a Fish and Bait Pail, all of which are meeting with appro- bation.

Recently they accepted the agency for the coun- ties of Cortland and Onondaga, for the sale of the Corinthian Monuments, cast from pure zinc, which, as they become more and more known, must largely supercede marble and granite, being much more durable than either, and having the advantage over them in that they can be more highly ornamented and more beautifully finished than either, and re- tain for all time their color and beauty.

E. L. WALRATH & Co., Manufacturers of Gold Pens, No. 3 Granger Block. In 1852, E. L. Walrath & Co , purchased the interest and good will of their predecessors in this line of business in Syracuse, Messrs. Benedict & Barney. Mr.Walrath has labored and experimented for several years to produce a gold pen characterized by the same flexibility and action as the quill, and has brought out the result of his thought and experiments in his famous quill-spring pen, which is acknowledged by those familiar with its use to be a very superior article. Pens of this

peculiar construction, pointed with iridium (the heaviest and most durable metal known) may be used with pleasure and satisfaction by the penman during a lifetime. There is no such thing as wear- ing the point further than a smooth surface, and the peculiar flexibility imparted by Mr. Walrath to his pens render them very desirable both for ease of writing and durability. Messrs. Walrath & Co. are the only manufacturers of pens in the county of Onondaga.

JOHN Q. SMITH, Manufacturer of Galvanized Iron Cornice, and manufacturer and wholesale dealer in Tinware, Nos. 55 and 57 S. Clinton street. The business of Mr. Smith was established in its present locality in 1874 ; it amounts to $100,000 a year, the capital employed in active business being $25,000. Employment is given to 50 hands.

WILLIAM MALCOLM, Rifle Telescope Manufac- turer. Mr. Malcolm is a son of one of the early set- tlers, Wm. Malcolm, who came to Syracuse in 1824, and was 20 years connected with the hardware business. William, Jr., was born in the town of Sullivan, Madison county, Oct. 13, 1823. He began the peculiar branch of scientific mechanism in which he has attained so rare an excellence-the manufacture of rifle telescopes-in 1855, and now supplies the leading gun dealers in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and has sent them indirectly to China, Japan, Siberia, Spain, Egypt, and India. Only a limited quantity of these superior instruments can be made, as all the work has to be done by Mr. Malcolm individually. His telescopes are used to some extent in the United States army, by Col. Bullis, of Texas, Lieut. W. L. Carpenter, of Red Cloud, Neb., and in Gen. Wood's Battery, Capt. P. Birchmeyer, Syracuse, N. Y.

To the astonishment of many scientific men, Mr. Malcolm produces in his small telescopes of the diameter of only one-half inch, the power and field of large field telescopes. Objects such as small birds, the robin, for instance, can be seen at two miles distance ; and, incredible as it may seem, with these half-inch glasses the field is large enough to take in four full moons in a parallel line ; at 15 rods, Io feet is embraced in the field, and at 40 rods, about 27 feet. These telescopes are used by Rocky Mountain hunters, who claim a greater degree of accuracy in sighting the rifle in dark woods than can be attained by any other known sight, as the concentration of light by means of an intermediate lens (first brought into use by Mr. Malcolm in this instrument) is so intense and bright that the diffi- culty of sighting in the dark, shadowy retreats of the forests is entirely overcome.

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

SYRACUSE MARBLE AND GRANITE WORKS. - Francis & Dutfy, Nos. 17, 19 and 21 West Onon- dlaga street. Among the many successful business houses of Syracuse, should be mentioned the pros- perous firm whose name appears above.

There is perhaps no manufacturing interest that shows a greater degree of development of late years, than that of which this enterprise is a representa- tive. Closely allied to the highest type of art, and calling for the employment of talent in designing and executing, the marble works of our large cities to-day have become studios, instead of mere work- shops. The Syracuse Marble and Granite Works have had a busy career, extending over a period of nearly fifteen years.

They were originally established by the late Geo. W. M. Lewis of Utica, in 1865, and who is favor- ably remembered by many of our citizens. In January, 1867, Messrs. Francis & Duffy succeeded to the business, and in 1868 they purchased the marble works of Robert Spaulding, long and favor- ably known in this community. This firm con- tinued the manufactories separately for four years ; then enlarging their premises, they consolidated the two establishments in one, at Nos. 17, 19 and 21 West Onondaga street.

During this time the business has been very much developed. A demand has been created for finer grades of work. The firm commenced their first importation of Scotch Granite ten years ago, and were the first to introduce it in this vicinity. Since then they have imported largely, and have brought to the notice of the people, such beautiful

and enduring granites as the light and dark " shap" from Westmoreland, England, and of American, the beautifully mottled granites from Clark's Island, Maine, as well as the Westerly, Quincy, Fox Island and many others.

The proprietors of the Syracuse Marble and Granite Works are young men who believe that en- ergetic action and prompt attention to business can not fail of achieving abundant success. Their works, as seen in Oakwood and other principal cemeteries of Central New York, show not only the beauty of materials and workmanship, but that as designers they exhibit rare originality.

H. STANTON, NOVELTY MATCH WORKS, East Water street-Established at Richfield Springs, Otsego county in 1852 ; removed to Syracuse in 1864, in which year the present factory was erected. The premises, building and machinery are valued at $8,000. The capacity of the works is equal to the production of 150 gross of matches daily, which find a market in six different Northern States. The number of hands employed in the whole establishment, including box-making, is about 40 ; the revenue stamps used amount to $40,000 a year. Mr. Stanton began on a small scale, produc- ing at first about to gross per day. H. Stanton, Jr., has the management and superintendence of the works.

JUDSON & RYDER, EXCELSIOR MATCH COM- PANY .- Building erected December, 1874; manu- facturing commenced March 25, 1875. Works have capacity for making from 140 to 160 gross of matches per day.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOHN CROUSE.

John Crouse was born at Mindenville, Montgom- cry County, New York, on the fourth day of June, 1802. His father, Jacob Crouse, was born in Mont- gomery County in 1769. He was descended from German ancestry, his grandfather, George Crouse, having been born in l'alatine, Saxony, in 1740. While a young man he came to America to seek his fortune and settled in Montgomery County. His son Jacob Crouse, had a family of twelve children, one of whom was John Crouse, the subject of this biography. Jacob Crouse was a farmer, and his son John in his carly life was brought up to assist his

father in the care and management of the farm. Hereceived his early education at the district school, whose advantages in those days were exceedingly limited. Never, however, was the saying that " ex- perience is the best teacher," better illustrated than in the life of John Crouse. Every man is the archi- tect of his own fortune and controls in a measure his destiny. Upon the foundation of his district school education, guided by the principles that were early instilled in his mind, he reared the superstruct- ure of his successful and honorable business career. At the age of seventeen he engaged as clerk and passed the next five years of his life in that capacity, in Schoharie County and in the city of Albany. At

John brouse

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HISTORY OF ONONDAGA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

the end of that period, he engaged in business for himself in Canastota, N. Y., forming a partnership first with a man named Hawley. The partner- ship continued one year when Mr. Crouse entered into partnership with his brother, Daniel Crouse. For twenty-eight years, with uninterrupted pros- perity, they carried on a general merchandise busi- ness in Canastota. In 1853 the partnership be- tween them was dissolved, and John Crouse, with a younger brother, James, came to Syracuse and es- tablished a wholesale grocery house under the firm name of J. & J. Crouse. Previous to moving to Syracuse, Mr. Crouse had been for several years largely interested in banking in that city. He was one of the originators of the City Bank, and its Vice-President for several years, controlling its stock to a large extent. Disposing of his interest in that bank, he, with his brothers, James and Daniel, and others associated with them, established the "Crouse Bank," the Crouse interest controlling the stock. The Crouse brothers held their controlling interest for four or five years, when they disposed of it.

Mr. Crouse was one of the first directors of the First National Bank of Syracuse, and has been its Vice-President since its organization. He is also a director of the Canastota National Bank, of Can- astota, N. Y.

The wholesale grocery business, established upon coming to Syracuse, was carried on successfully for a few years when his son, John J., was admitted to a partnership in the business. Upon the death of James Crouse, Jacob Crouse, his nephew, became a member of the firm. The business of their house increased very rapidly, extending over a wide territory. In 1864, Jacob Crouse withdrew from the firm, Mr. Crouse having previously taken into partnership with him his second son, Daniel Edgar. At the time of writing this-1878-both of his sons are engaged in business with him, the firm name being John Crouse & Co.

The history of the Crouse wholesale grocery house during the twenty-five years it has been in existence in Syracuse has been one of uninterrupted success. Its trade steadily increased from its foundation, and for many years it has been con- ceded a standing as one of the leading wholesale grocery houses in the State, transacting a business not exceeded by that of any concern outside of the city of New York.

Mr. Crouse is recognized as one of the best busi- ness men in the city of Syracuse and, indeed, in the State. Possessed of keen discrimination and judgment and sound, practical common sense, methodical in his business relations, and governed

by indomitable energy and integrity of purpose, his business career has been a course of uninter- rupted success. As a financier he deservedly takes a high rank. He has never been active in politics nor solicitous of political advancement. Formerly a member of the Whig party, upon the formation of the Republican party Mr. Crouse became a sup- porter of its principles, and has continued a member of that party.

While Mr. Crouse has been blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, he has freely opened his purse to the wants of the needy and the charities of Syracuse. He liberally con- nected himself with the Syracuse University, and has been one of its trustees since its foundation. The Home, the House of the Good Shepherd, and the hospitals have also received substantial aid from him.

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History of Onondaga County, New York, Part 48

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 840

Author: Clayton, W.W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 840